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 Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2012 : 3:04 PM
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I love hiking in the desert, but 109 degrees in town and 114 in the desert was a bit too much right now. I needed a break. So, 32 miles from my home on the ridge, St. George, Utah lies a village of less than 200 folks called Pine Valley. Nestled on the north side of 10,000 ft Mt. Krumpet, Actually Pine Valley Mtn live the whoos...Ok I'll stop. It really is a quaint little village and where it will only hit about 90 degrees there and cooler with each step up 10,000 ft. Pine Valley Mtn it was just what the doctor ordered.
First stop is the historic church in the village. Pretty much anyone who as visited Utah has heard of Bryce Canyon? Well, Ebenezer Bryce lived here and was asked to build a church that would serve as a school and meeting house. Across the street was the all important
tithing office. Well, Ebenezer Bryce was a shipbuilder by trade. What was he doing way out here in the middle of nowhere miles from any ocean? Like most Mormon settlers, they were called to this area and settled the land. He, being a shipbuilder, built the church roof first. He built it as a ship's hull. They then, set it aside and built the sides. then, they hoisted it somehow onto the sides and strapped it together with a prayer and some rawhide strips and voila!! a church! It has stood since 1868. So, we have an ark in case another flood comes to southern Utah. hehe
Now, for the coolest part of coming to Pine Valley....no, not the mountain.
whut? you want me to turn sideways? Pu-leeeeese!! OK just for you.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Oreo Cookie, I present.....
Miss Oreo Cookie Cow 2012!! mmmmmm oreos....milk....mmmmm
I get to the trailhead and see a disturbing sign.
Cougar? in the campground? Ladies watch your men.....hehe
Actually, I hoped to see it. Way cool!! But, it did not happen.
So, on up we go up up up to the top of Mt. Krumpet (pine valley Mtn) high above the 186 whos down in whoville riding their quads up and down the roads. I don't remember quads in Dr Seuss. wonder what he would have called them. Probably something pretty cool, I bet.
   
passed the well manicured A+ trail signage that said "wilderness" and the trail deteriorated immediately to crappy signage and felled trees lying across the trail.
But, it was more rustic and the deep ruts caused by horses and throngs of folks hiking up the campground to an acceptable, sensible destination of a crag with a lookout was left far far behind as I began some serious steep elevation gain. Oh, did I mention this flatlander does not like elevation gain? Trudged on happily, with a purpose. 6800 ft at trailhead and my destination was a bit over 10,000 ft. then, back down again all in one long afternoon/evening.
I passed by some expired blooms of sweet cliffrose, berries, wildflowers, more rocky jutting crags, past some old dead snags which leave behind their beautiful varnished colors before finally being felled by the eventual progression of time and the elements.
    
Higher up past stands of manzanita with its edible berries which have long since been stripped by the forest beasties and birds. The berries are very tart and are a good treat and work better for making saliva than the old trick in the desert of sucking on a pebble (which works too)
Then, yellow pines. When it is hot out, and it is quite warm this afternoon, they smell like vanilla when you smell the bark. So, not only a tree hugger, but a tree "sniffer"? as well? 
Then, my all time favorite....quakies!! (quaking aspen) I didn't expect this. What a treat. I stopped right here and ate my can of fruit cocktail which I transferred to a quart bag before the hike. I use only liquid items here in 12% humdidity country. See how dry and dusty the trial is? Pinecones lying around on the ground are very hard and sharp.
     
Then, on to the overlook at Brown's Point. 10,000 ft 7,000 ft down at the valley. It was a bit hazy but the views were so worth the hike up there. I sat there for half an hour taking it in. You can see off to Zion in the east, the Arizona Strip to the south, and through the Virgin River Gorge to the southwest.
              
Now, back into the forest and on to look for the summit Signal Peak at 10,350'
I passed through some meadows and saw a deer later on in the evening in velvet.
This place is where there is the only water I came upon is called Further Water. I ran into a scout troop from Vegas who were camping there. They told me of a "shortcut" to the summit. I was all for a shortcut at this time. Turns out I got disoriented and ended climbing up the wrong peak. I was on the inside with no views and bouldering my way to the top. I came back down and was feeling a bit dejected having not found the peak. They were glad to see me come back and asked if I found the summit and the geocache. I told them no but it wasn't going anywhere soon and I will be back. I told them I climbed a rocky peak to the north, instead. I filled up with filtered water at the creek and headed back down the mountain.
        
As I was now feeling a bit sad, it happened. Rain!!! ahhhh sweet rain!! It has been months since I felt raindrops. I took off my hat and began laughing like a madman hooting and hollering rain!! Lightning was hitting about half a mile west; behind me and I was in a steady downfall with thunder shaking the meadow.
It has been said that the desert sands long for the lapping waves of the receding sea to return. Sands left to be tormented by the harsh winds as they are left spent; to huddle in dunes only to be baked bny the unforgiving sun.
I hike in the desert amongst the tree that gives no shade; offering little relief.
What a joy this was....rain. As other hikers would dig into their packs for their poncho,
I instead, took off my hat and let the rain soothe me as I felt the dust and salt drip off my fingers to return to the ground through my trekking poles. ahhh rain!!!
I headed down into Whipple Valley and back up again through some switchbacks to about 400'
and used my last shot-blok for a boost. Once on the saddle, it was all downhill to the campground/trailhead. I had to hustle since I was burning daylight at this point.
I stopped and walked out to a rocky outcrop to get a picture of the village, below.
  
I never thought the sound of happy campers now only 600' below, would be music to my ears as I practically ran down the long switchbacks. It was dark but I could still see the deep ruts of the trail without getting out my headlamp. Now, the thoughts of the cougar siting at the campground and they like the evening came to my mind. I laughed as I sang the I like chicken I like Liver Meow Mix please deliver song (Austin Powers) My mind works in a bizarre way.
Came upon this tree earlier that was scorced by lightning or some awful, ugly growth.
Can you identify it? An obvious infestation not native to the area.
To save the forest, this tree needs felled. I would volunteer to clean up some of the trail with all the deadfall blocking the trail. Hmmmm think they would give me a....chainsaw?
Next week, it's back to the desert for some swimming holes in the Virgin River Gorge, Arizona.
Cheers! jerry |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1036 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2012 : 11:58 PM
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Nice trip, Jerry.
There is no lack of water up here. I'll try to bring some down to you in September.
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ALBANY, OR
USA
588 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2012 : 06:42 AM
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| Your efforts described in this trip report seem to indicate you are feeling fit and well, good to hear! Nice to be able to escape the heat! |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13445 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2012 : 07:35 AM
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Jerry you are fit and strong. Love your report; the forests, trees, flowers and all the shots of the interesting historic tidbits.
Awesome ! |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2012 : 9:02 PM
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Thanks, Larryl! Come on down! September is perfect. I will be on vacation on the 22nd in Vegas for the Barrett Jackson Car auction show in Manadalay Bay. My son goes every year and invites us along. But, the rest of the month is open. I now work weekends and am off 4 days per week. I only work 3 days a week and hike the rest of the time. since it is full time, too. I am off Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Fridays every week. I now work Sat, Sun, and Mon.
Good fun, for sure.
Thanks, Alpalmer! I'm feeling stronger every day. Doing lots of walking and swimming. going to the gym three times a week at golds gym and eating much much healthier. No bread, No potatoes and rice. Talked to some really sweet girls who talked me into taking Pilates starting when my gym membership ends in October. I still want to work off another 15 lbs.
thanks for the comments!
Hi, karvitk! Thanks! Doing great! I really enjoyed the break from the 114 degree heat. In the Gorge, there are no trees down low and no shade. No diffused light, always direct light on me no matter which way I turn, the sun is on me, relentless. Drinking water almost seems like breathing. I begin to lose the taste and it becomes rhythmic like breathing. Walk, breathe, sip...hehe Back at it next week. I am taking a week off due to dental surgery.
I am now going from soups to soft foods. Next week, I will be back in the desert again; ready for a long day hike or maybe hit some swimming holes along the river where I have heard from a friend about native camps on the benches. This guy I know can spot an encampment like he's tuned in to it. I can't wait to explore some more of the area for my little hiking guide of 50 hikes. cheers!! |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 12:02 AM
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Nice break from the arid heat of the desert for you Jerry. Hey you're taking pictures of green stuff!!! Nice  |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 06:33 AM
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| That's a very nice forest Gerry. Are all the cows banded in Utah? |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 07:39 AM
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Thanks, Exy! It felt so good to be able to walk in the trees and have the sun's rays filtered and broken up. As the sun was setting over the ridge, it was cool to see the beams shoot pillars of light through the forest sideways. As I walked the trees would break up the sun and when the sun would hit my face it was like flash bulbs going off. I had fun with it and ran down a switchback through the flashes of light. I am not used to that. Usually, the sun is like a lightbulb, constantly on, I sometimes feel like an ant crawling through the hot desert sands and some giant kid is holding a magnifying glass on me, having fun torturing me. I have one heck of a "holy farmer tan, dude" as my son laughs at me.
P.S. someday, your little one would lOVE Snow Canyon State Park. Little short trails and some way cool mini kid slots to explore.
Hi, Flo-Bro!
Nice to see dairy cattle wading through tall, green fields. ahhhh refreshing.
And what is better than an Oreo cookie cow? I don't know what they're really called.
I am more used to free range cattle which are really cool. Next weekend I am torn on where to hike next. Great to have so many choices. Taking a week off for dental surgery ouch.... |
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Sunshine Coast, BC
Canada
250 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 10:56 AM
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We've become big fans of hiking in desert areas, and the high elevation mountains that surround them. Yet again, it's raining here on the 'wet' coast, and snow is still preponderant in the sub-alpine. We're a credit card click away from heading back to Palm Springs and up into the San Jacinto mountains.
Speaking of San Jacinto .... here's some pics from our hike up there in June, from 9,000 ft., with the Salton Sea in the far distance.
and a 'Big-cone' pinecone near 10,000 ft. ...
and groves of Ribies Sp. and Indian Hellebore at 9500 ft.
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 8:35 PM
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| Nice pictures! Thanks! That large pinecone looks like the ones up at Lake Tahoe. I really like them. I would suggest coming down this way, but it is over 100 degrees pretty much every day. But, any time you want to stop in and see Zion, come on down. We have plenty of room and a guest room. Or we could just meet for dinner or a hike. Zion is perfect to visit in the fall. The kiddies are back to school and the temps are in the upper seventies or low eighties. They still have a shuttle but it is way cool. |
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Sunshine Coast, BC
Canada
250 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 9:29 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Rented Mule
But, any time you want to stop in and see Zion, come on down. We have plenty of room and a guest room. Or we could just meet for dinner or a hike. Zion is perfect to visit in the fall. The kiddies are back to school and the temps are in the upper seventies or low eighties. They still have a shuttle but it is way cool.
RM, that's very kind. We just might sneak down Utah way some time later in the year and if we do, we'll pop you a note and would look very forward to hooking up with you to swap hiking stories and glean advice on local trails. Such beautiful country there. |
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Pine Valley Mtn, Utah
